South Side Man Who Posed Stone-faced with Mayor on Instagram: Rahm Emanuel is a Horrible Tipper

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Emanuel is “real cheap,” GQ says.

A photo of Rahm Emanuel grinning widely while an African-American man stood next to him stone-faced, with the caption “The Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel came by my job, still can't stand this muthafucka tho,” drew significant attention on social media Wednesday.

The man, who was reached by In These Times via phone and asked to be identified only as “GQ,” works at a health food store on Chicago’s South Side. He said that the mayor had come in to the store several times in recent years, and when Emanuel stopped by two months ago, someone in the store suggested that GQ and the mayor pose for a picture. While GQ agreed, he says he wasn’t happy about it.

“He was smilin’ and cheesin’ and stuff,” GQ says. “I’m like, dude, come on: you’re only doing that because you’re trying to get elected. You’re trying to make it look like you’re a man of the people. But you’re not.”

GQ, who is in his 40s and lives in the city’s Back of the Yards neighborhood, repeats the charge that has dogged Emanuel throughout his reelection campaign: that he is most concerned with the city’s white, wealthy residents.

“He only caters to people on the North Side, like the Gold Coast,” he says, referring to one of the city's wealthiest and whitest neighborhoods. “The only time I see him on the South Side is when it comes time for elections.” GQ says violence in his neighborhood and in black neighborhoods throughout the city, along with the mayor’s education policies, turned him against Emanuel.

“So many people have been killed. … 50 schools got closed—and most of them on the South Side and West Side”—overwhelmingly black areas of the city. “But you cater to the people in Gold Coast. Why don’t you [cater to] the South Side?”

After the picture was tweeted a number of times throughout the day (including by this author), it was picked up by journalists including Bloomberg Politics's Dave Weigel and MSNBC host (and former In These Times senior editor) Chris Hayes, who called it “the funniest thing I've seen all day.” This characterization, from journalist and In These Times contributor Michael Arria, was typical:

When told that his photo had been tweeted many times, often along with the hashtag #RahmLove—referencing a recent ad campaign (meant in earnest rather than to mock the mayor) started by the hospitality workers union UNITE HERE Local 1—GQ laughs.

“ ‘Rahm Love,’ ” he says. “That’s a bunch of BS.”

The photo is one of several that have circulated on social media of people of color standing near the mayor but looking unhappy to engage him. One photo shows Emanuel extending his hand to an African-American woman at a train stop, where Rahm has done much of his reelection campaigning throughout the city; the woman appears to refuse to shake his hand. Another has been interpreted by some on social media as showing Mayor Emanuel recoiling from a young African-American child, though it is impossible to know exactly what the mayor was reacting to.

GQ says that while he is no fan of the mayor, he doesn’t know a great deal about his challenger, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, and doesn’t admire him greatly.

While GQ is opposed to the mayor’s policies, he says he’s also opposed to Emanuel’s etiquette as a customer.

“He’s real cheap,” GQ says. The mayor is holding what appears to be a shake in the Instagram photo. “My friend who made the drink—[Emanuel] only tipped him like a quarter or 50 cents” on a drink he says cost $7. Reached via phone Wednesday night, GQ’s coworker confirmed this report, saying he has served the mayor multiple times and remembers one incident in which the mayor tipped him “37 cents” on the seven-dollar shake (though he said the mayor's security guards have left him sizable tips in the past).

Micah Uetricht is a contributing editor at In These Times and is a former associate editor and editorial intern at the magazine. He is managing editor at Jacobin, the author of Strike for America: Chicago Teachers Against Austerity, and has written for the Nation, the Chicago Reader, VICE News, the Guardian and elsewhere. He previously worked as a labor organizer. Follow him on Twitter at @micahuetricht.

Well that's certainly interesting. Jamba Juice is a corporation, not a restaurant. They're required to pay workers a minimum wage. Typically, you tip a restaurant worker to bridge the gap of the ridiculously low wage they're allowed to pay (because tips are expected). Jamba Juice operates on a different model which I'm sure is true of this establishment as well. I mean if you want to fight for the sake of fighting, I'm gnaw, but let's at least make sure it's worth the effort.

Posted by Maddy Osman on 2015-05-23 10:57:27

yup

Posted by MsCoop on 2015-05-22 23:52:17

I sure do, as per social norms. Do you tip the dude who makes your Jamba Juice..?

Posted by Maddy Osman on 2015-05-04 14:15:05

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11 different friends, 3 in the southwest, 2 from the east coast, 4 from the west coast, and 2 from the deep south all having worked in the serving industry in diverse cosmopolitan settings for, at minimum, four years, independently mentioning the same consistent experienced behavioral phenomenon from these various groups. African American ancestral decedents of American black slaves (read "black" you unbelievably dense moron) and Asians (excluding those from the Korean community) seem to have a bad reputation with tipping.

You are too much an idiot to explain generalities because you believe that everyone is the same no matter where they are from and that different cultures all have the same values no matter where they are from. This may shock you, I assume because you have no real experience with meeting people from different cultures outside of your hugbox, but different cultures often produce different behaviors in people. For instance you have relatively no catcalling in say Singapore or on Park Avenue but a good bit of it in poverty stricken ghettos.

You really are too stupid to converse with any further as you simply are trying to label me a racist bigot because I pointed out that certain cultures often have certain generalized behavioral norms that at times conflict in one arena or another. I have no time for ethnocentric bigoted lunatics that believe that your morality has to be set in stone for everyone.

Bye,you can go shave your back now.

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You tip a solid dollar on a two dollar cuppa joe? Do you buy coffee more than once a month?

Posted by cjlane on 2015-03-31 17:47:41

"you are an employer when someone hand prepares your food or beverage"

"or go to McDonalds"

What do you think they do at McDonalds? Throw the food at you? Please articulate a meaningful distinction--don't just say "McD's prohibits the placement of tip jars on the counter, and the acceptance by employees of tips" that's non-responsive.

Posted by cjlane on 2015-03-31 17:45:21

You have to do more than just hope. YOU GOTTA MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!LET ME REMIND EVERYONE READING THIS POST YOU STILL HAVE UNTIL APRIL 4 TO CAST AN EARLY VOTE AT YOUR LOCAL POLLING PLACE!!IF YOU TRULY HATE RAHM EMMANUEL,GET UP OFF YOUR COUCH & TURN OFF ESPN/SPORTSCHANNEL,AND CAST AN EARLY VOTE FOR JESUS "CHUY" GARCIA !!!GET THIS STEREOTYPE,CHEAPASS JEW OUT OF CITY HALL. HE'S GIVING GOOD JEWS A BAD NAME,AND HE'S RUINING THIS GREAT CITY OF CHICAGO!!!!

YOU GOT 'TIL APRIL 4!!! CAST YOUR VOTE,THEN YOU CAN GO BACK HOME AND WATCH THE FINAL FOUR WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE.

Posted by JEREMY on 2015-03-31 13:04:39

That's an awful long post arguing in favor of being a cheap bastard.

Posted by Tyler Wilson on 2015-03-31 01:29:38

Yes. All the time.

Posted by Tyler Wilson on 2015-03-31 01:23:40

Tl; dr.

Posted by chedd on 2015-03-30 23:52:54

Seems like a reasonable tip to me. $7 for a shake seems unreasonable on the other hand.

Posted by HerrProfessor on 2015-03-30 11:04:51

Real genius here .

Posted by harleygwr on 2015-03-30 09:23:39

"as a *general* rule in the service industry, at least as far as I am aware in the south, southwest, southeast & east-coast (I cannot speak of the North) those from Black and Asian cultures (excluding Korean) are notoriously stingy tippers,"

Wow. I didn't know there was such a thing as a tipping expert on various "cultures" (excluding Korean). Which "Black" Culture are you referring to? Please, could you cite region and a few examples so we can make sure we are referring to the same "Black" Culture? I'm really hoping this isn't one of the fictional cultures depicted on TV, but an actual culture created over hundreds of years -even millenia- of actual people embodying actual values. (you know, like NOT Empire) The same request extends to understanding all those cheap Asian cultures. It wouldn't hurt to add a few references so we could all share in your knowledge. Then if you could explain what this has to do with the United States Midwest - where Chicago officially is located, it would be appreciated. I know you said you couldn't speak of the North, but surely the Midwest can't be off your chart as well? Also if you could give us an idea of your titles and credentials in relation to your expertise on various ethnic and race-based cultures and tipping habits, that would really make this conversation quite productive. Finally if you could provide any background on who and/or what circumstances set up your "general" rule, that would be totally awesome...

He gave over 5% in tip. How is he a cheapskate? Also as a *general* rule in the service industry, at least as far as I am aware in the south, southwest, southeast & east-coast (I cannot speak of the North) those from Black and Asian cultures (excluding Korean) are notoriously stingy tippers, if they tip at all. At minimum you can decry this guy as supporting a negative, but true, general stereotype.

I can't stand Rahm and hope he loses. But it's crazy to demand that people tip the cashier who gets them a drink.

Posted by thebagman45 on 2015-03-28 00:48:25

You're a cheapskate, you are an employer when someone hand prepares your food or beverage. Stay home and prepare your own food if you're too stingy to tip properly, or go to McDonalds.

Posted by ArmedLiberal on 2015-03-27 21:05:11

If you can't afford to tip 15-25 percent keep you cheap stingy butt at home. Prepare your own food if you don't feel like you should show that level of appreciation for those that do prepare what you put in your body.

Posted by ArmedLiberal on 2015-03-27 21:02:41

What in the world are you going on about? We are talking about tipping for goodness sake. What does all of what you said have to do with a funny picture and a "person" not agreeing with the amount of the tip he received? Don't be that way.

Posted by Terra Sinkevicius on 2015-03-27 17:46:10

Phuque off, fascist pig.

Posted by Andy_Lewis on 2015-03-27 16:19:15

Jinpa, it sounds like 'hereatpsu' was speaking metaphorically..............(Meaning:>> You are Wealthy in your Generosity, despite your economic status........

Posted by BornSchola on 2015-03-27 16:02:00

It's a $7 health food shake. Not your typical fast food milkshake, hence the price. As for the mayor's tipping, he has already figured out ways to extract money from Chicago gentiles. That's part of his religious beliefs. (usury) Why would he even consider giving back already tainted currency that he's worked so hard to steal from you? Unless, of course, the photo op. BTW, he is the son of a confirmed Israeli terrorist, a dual Israeli citizen, & a member of a Talmudic sect known as Chabad Lubavitch. So where do his loyalties lie & why is he here? For answers, look to 911 & the hidden Israel/Mossad involvement. His being here is no accident.

Posted by Pat Enery on 2015-03-27 12:17:43

Why does someone need to tip anything for a shake from a grocery store that they are already being ripped off for? And you can hate on Rahm and whine that he only cares about rich white people, but who do you think is going to pay for all the handouts the people on the south and west sides are all asking for?

Posted by Sean on 2015-03-27 09:00:01

Not everybody, but I think most people at least tip a solid dollar for coffee, etc. I never tip pocket change - at least not since the '80s.

Posted by Babar Aaron Stelzer on 2015-03-27 05:35:18

Since when does making a shake qualify for getting a tip. It`s amazing that some people can blame the whole world for holding them back. They sit there complaining that people have not done enough to help them. The question they need to ask is what have they done to help themselves. Why would anyone cater to destructive people. People that ruin their own neighborhoods. They complain about schools closing but how many of the students had passing grades? You can't blame everything on government, teachers, white people, rich people, rich white people or any other people who made their way through life. Stop blaming people for not catering to you. Start catering to yourself. Usually people who blame the system, spend a whole lot of time using the system.They want freebies and handouts and when they don't get them, they pout. You want more than minimum wage? Stay in school, go back to school, stay out of trouble, don't get arrested, learn a trade. You want gang violence and crime to stop? The answer is not more police, it is teaching your children to stay out of the trouble. PARENT YOUR KIDS! No amount of food stamps, section 8, Obama care, Obama phones can substitute for parenting, setting an example and breaking the cycle. BTW there are many prominent neighborhoods that are filled minorities. Not every person that is considered a minority is doing bad. The difference between them and the others is not what people have given them but what they worked for and earned themselves.

Posted by 3rdI on 2015-03-27 01:59:58

People get the government they deserve.

Posted by Maggiemay on 2015-03-26 21:22:33

well, which is it? Never mind, I know what I am. I don't need an anonymous internet person to testify to my economic status.

Posted by Jinpa Heyer on 2015-03-26 18:42:36

Are you campaigning for office pretending to care?

Posted by Finnegan A Lemerian on 2015-03-26 17:57:08

you are wealthy, but poor!

Posted by hereatpsu on 2015-03-26 17:55:36

people acting friendly, getting their picture taken with the workers, shaking hands with people, expecting people to think they care. That's who.

Posted by Jinpa Heyer on 2015-03-26 17:50:54

Actually the article made it clear that the guy getting shorted on tips was the one making the shake. And no, customers aren't obligated to tip, but if you're not going to tip and tip well, don't act all friendly with the people making your shake or the one ringing it up.

Posted by Jinpa Heyer on 2015-03-26 17:49:36

Do you tip on a beer or a Vodka Cran at the bar which is cheaper than $7 usually? I think so!

Posted by MsCoop on 2015-03-26 17:47:48

37 cents on a $7 shake? And he's glad-handing, taking up space in the store, and expecting workers to react positively to his presence? He's lucky they don't spit in his shake.

Posted by Jinpa Heyer on 2015-03-26 17:47:26

actually it's more like 10%, making that 70 cents on a $7 shake, but I never tip less than a dollar. (and I'm poor)

I wish more of my Jewish brothers and sisters would publicly disown this jagbag. Many Israeli people are ashamed of "Lofty" Rahm ISRAEL Auerbach. His middle name sullies the glorious Jewish people and their beautiful culture.

Posted by Ari on 2015-03-26 17:27:49

I love Elizabeth Warren too.

Posted by westlafadeaway on 2015-03-26 17:14:00

Some higher end health food stores have full service cafes. Otherwise nobody.

Posted by westlafadeaway on 2015-03-26 17:12:20

He stepped to the wrong teacher

Posted by Ang13 on 2015-03-26 17:05:10

I've never tipped at a health food store. I've never felt bad about not tipping at a health food store. I've never heard of anyone tipping at a health food store. I've never heard of tipping on shakes at anywhere other than a restaurant. Is that a thing now? So next March I'm supposed to leave a tip for my Shamrock McShake? I usually tip 20% at restaurants.

Posted by Butch_Zee on 2015-03-26 16:12:07

I had no idea that Rahm was Jewish until you pointed it out.

Posted by GrinwithoutaCat on 2015-03-26 15:56:29

Yeah, but 50c is 7% of $7. So what's your problem? Honestly, I'm with Maddy, below. Counter service doesn't get tips. Pay people an honest wage. I'm a customer, not the employer.

Posted by GrinwithoutaCat on 2015-03-26 15:55:32

Who the fuck tips at a health food store?

Posted by Andrew Friendo on 2015-03-26 15:48:17

THANK you.

Posted by Maddy Osman on 2015-03-26 15:12:07

People tip on shakes...?

Posted by Maddy Osman on 2015-03-26 15:11:22

Serve me at a table with a nice demeanor and keep my water glass full, then I'll tip you 20% of the pre-tax total. When I stand in a line to be handed something over a counter, I MIGHT leave the change (i.e. 37 cents,) in the obnoxious tip jar.

Posted by Humberto Marley Ramirez on 2015-03-26 15:07:17

Check out the your attitude on the picture. GQ needs leave politics alone and to get back to what he knows best rapping on the Green Line. Anyway you aren't obligated to tip a cashier who gets you a drink, just because he has a tip box at the register. I'm a good tipper, and I put my loose change in the box, which is probally what the Mayor did. This is smear campaigning.

Posted by Thomas Brown on 2015-03-26 14:47:05

Wait - is that a thing? am I a monster? I only tip if there is wait service or if I'm at a bar. If I'm ordering a takeout lunch I will put in a buck or two tip on the credit card receipt, for the whole order, but I've never tipped for a shake.

Not that I think the guy ISN'T a slimeball, and if you're a politician and already a slimeball, then of course you're going to get hassled for being a lousy tipper too. But I didn't know that was a thing. Do baristas everywhere silently wish my death, or do I get a pass because I'm not Rahm Emanuel?

Posted by Hezaa on 2015-03-26 14:40:55

If nothing else, the boy should be ashamed of himself for furthering the vile stereotypes of Jews as cheap-ass... and as pushy loudmouths.We don't need any more of his type.Let's hope this election is the last we'll see of him.

Posted by smartalek on 2015-03-26 14:26:26

If you can't afford to tip more than 5%, you can't afford the shake, Mr Pink.

Posted by smartalek on 2015-03-26 14:23:49

Did volunteer work and Rahm Dracula shows up. He spent all morning drawing support from a Caucasian woman; who is not a registered voter in Chicago and paid my black westside ass no attention.... Won't get my vote!

Posted by Juan Brown on 2015-03-26 13:26:49

Rham had better consider not buying another shake at this place....

Posted by lean6 on 2015-03-26 12:46:22

I am no fan of the Mayor either, but does everybody tip more than pocket change for a milkshake (or cup of coffee for that matter)?